The main difference between monophony polyphony and homophony is that monophony refers to music with a single melodic line and polyphony refers to music with two or more simultaneous melodic lines, while homophony refers to music in which the main melodic line is supported by an additional musical line(s).
Musical texture refers to the combination of melodies, harmonies, rhythms, form, tempo, and timbre in a composition. Moreover, there are three types of monophony, polyphony and homophony.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Monophony
– Definition, Features
2. What is Polyphony
– Definition, Features
3. What is Homophony
– Definition, Features
4. Difference Between Monophony Polyphony and Homophony
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Homophony, Monophony, Polyphony 
What is Monophony
In the study of music, monophony refers to the simplest of musical textures. It consists of a melody or tune sung by a single singer or played by a single instrument without accompanying harmony or chords. Most traditional songs, as well as folk songs, are examples of monophony. Moreover, we consider a melody to be monophonic if a group of singers sings the same melody together exactly the same pitch; if the same melody notes are duplicated at the octave – for example, when men and women sing together.
Figure 1: “Pop Goes the Weasel” is monophonic (when performed without chordal accompaniment)
If two or more instruments play an entire melody or if a choir melody sings with a fixed interval (for example, perfect fifth), we describe it as monophony. Moreover, we can describe the musical texture of a musical by assessing various components like accompaniment parts or polyphonic melody lines.
What is Polyphony
Polyphony is a musical texture that consists of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody. This is in contrast to monophony, which only consists of one voice, or a dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords. Furthermore, in the Western musical tradition, we usually use the term polyphony to refer to music of the late Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Figure 2: Example of Polyphony – A bar from J.S. Bach’s “Fugue No.17 in A flat”
Moreover, polyphony is typically associated with counterpoint, which involves a combination of distinct melodic lines. In polyphony, two or more simultaneous melodic lines are considered independent although they are related.
What is Homophony
Homophony is a musical texture with several parts in which one melody is predominant, and others are either simple chords or elaborate accompaniment patterns. For example, in Haydn’s Symphony No. 94, the violins carry the melody, while the lower strings back it with a bass line and chords. Furthermore, the homophonic texture is a very common texture in Western music. Since the homophonic texture is common, it has many different subtypes.
Figure 3: Homophony in Tallis’ “If Ye Love Me”
Homorhythmic texture and melody-dominated texture are the two main subtypes of homophonic texture. Homorhythmic texture occurs when all parts of the melody and harmonies have the exact same rhythm. This is also a kind of block chord texture. Melody-dominated texture, on the other hand, refers to other types of homophony that are not block chords.
Difference Between Monophony Polyphony and Homophony
Definition
Monophony refers to the simplest of musical textures and consists of a melody or tune sung by a single singer or played by a single instrument without accompanying harmony or chords. Polyphony is a musical texture that consists of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, while homophony is a musical texture with several parts in which one melody is predominant and others are either simple chords or elaborate accompaniment patterns.
Nature
Monophony refers to music with a single melodic line and polyphony refers to music with two or more simultaneous melodic lines while homophony refers to music in which the main melodic line is supported by additional musical line(s).
Conclusion
The main difference between monophony polyphony and homophony is that monophony refers to music with a single melodic line and polyphony refers to music with two or more simultaneous melodic lines while homophony refers to music in which the main melodic line is supported by additional musical line(s).
Reference:
1. “Homophony.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 July 2021.
2. “What Is Monophony, Polyphony, Homophony, Monody Etc.?” Medieval.org.
3. “Polyphony.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Pop Goes the Weasel updated” By Grímsvötn – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “BachFugueBar” By Memoryboy – Own work, Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “If ye love me” By User:A3A3A3A – (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
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